Situational Hitting

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When it comes to big games that come down to one run especially in the 9th inning I hear a lot of criticism from fans. Thursday night the Seattle Mariners fell to the Boston Red Sox 2-1. Felix Hernandez showed that he still has it especially at Safeco Field and in big games. He gave up the two runs in seven innings though the Red Sox had eight hits. Fortunately he had one walk and gave up a home run in the sixth inning to make the difference.

 

 

David Price the outstanding left handed pitcher for the Red Sox went seven innings giving up five hits and one run on a sacrifice by Guillermo Heredia. The great thing about Heredia is he is able to produce in situational hitting. The Mariners had the opportunity to do the same in the ninth inning with Haniger and Cruz  both walking however Kyle Seager struck out and Ryon Healy hitting into a double play to the end the game.

 

 

I don't know whether teams that are good at situational hitting have the better chance to win than those who don't? I believe though if you win a lot of one run games situational hitting has to play a part into. The Mariners have won a lot of those games this season but recently at least been a lot of walk-off hits or in their case the closer has done a great job as well and hasn't had a lot of blown saves. I don't really look at the other teams around major league baseball but I believe teams do have issues at not completing situational hitting. The Mariners do have Dee Gordon, Jean Segura, and Guillermo Heredia who are all good bunters. Although Servais isn't a big fan of bunting he can count on those three for sure to help in that area. The Mariners have been like many other teams where power especially home runs happen frequently. They key though is having contact hitters that have power as well. Mitch Haniger and Nelson Cruz are those kind of hitters though I am sure they strike out some as well but they are not like Mike Zunino, Ryon Healy and Kyle Seager who strike out frequently. Those three have had moments of success when things count but have failed numerous times as well. Like most power hitters though they can go on good long streaks while other times they fail. The importance though is when this happens and whether they are struggling all at the same time. The Mariners right now are nineteen games above five hundred so success happens more often at this point. I am sure they will have some losing streaks but I think to that they will continue have winning streaks like they have so far this season. I think it is frustrating when they have a close game like Thursday night that they could have scored at least three runs to win. I am sure though the Red Sox will go through a spell like that as well. These three  series the current four games against the Red Sox plus the one in New York against the Yankees and the one at Fenway Park in Boston the Mariners will break about even. I am sure if they don't win many games though they could all be like Thursday night people will say that the Mariners don't measure up. I wouldn't agree if the games are all by a run or two still means to me that they are a good team along with Boston and New York. A team could just run across of a little bad luck. Whatever happens though these two weeks the Mariners can still make the playoffs and I expect them to unless injuries happen to key players. I am sure Dipoto will look to bolster the club by trading dead-line. At this point we might as will enjoy the ride. We haven't had a ride like this in some time and they are an entertaining  team. Go M's.